It's time to write yet another HTPC frontend

[dimzon]

Hi!
Unfortunally I can't find good HTPC frontend wich provide requed functionality ;(

I decide to write my own HTPC frontend.
I want to use MPC as videoplayer engine (fine subtitles and Pan&Scan support, great stability and compatibility, awesome player)
I want to use ffdshow as primary decoder and image processor (upscaling,postprocessing etc)
I want to use foobar2000 as audioplayer engine ( i really like it )
I doesn't plan to support DVB/TV right now (since I doen't have HW and I don't need it atm)

Main goal is provide complete control over most features via 5-8 remote buttons only (via sexy OSD menu)

I decide to use C# as development language. Now I'm at the first stage (planning) and I'm waiting for some MPC improvements.

[chros]

Woowww !!!
This can be interesting !
We're waiting, unpatiently ...

[dimzon]

Just to track all info in one place:
found COM API for foobar2000

found some info about ffdshow API

Still wait Media Player Classic API

[dimzon]

Oh, forgot

proposed project name is FreeHTPC

[dimzon]

FreeImage will be used for image reading (to provide image view/slideshow functionality)
Sample and managed wrapper is here

[Schrade]

This sounds great! We really do need a solution like this that uses non bloated things.

MPC, ffdshow and Foobar2000 are a great combo.

[Blue_MiSfit]

Sounds awesome!

I have a decent setup with media portal - since it can use any media player you want.

It's a little fat though.

Something light and totally MPC / ffdshow / foobar based would be slick!

~MiSfit

[dimzon]

I started this project at CodePlex (nothing is working yet)
http://www.codeplex.com/FreeHTPC

[koutou]

Since i am very intrested in a very good front end that i can not find anywhere, i though it will be good
to give you my thoughts.

The front end that i am refering to , should be able to do the following....

- Rip hddvd & bluray discs through anydvdhd
- Rip dvd titles through dvdfab
- Rip audio cd through EAC


Basic function of video playback, should be the automatic detection of movie framerate and
automatic changing the graphics card output through powerstrip to specific resolution,refresh rate and color profile.

Should be able to use ffdshow, and again according the movie type to use several different profiles of ffdshow.
Should be able to play either overlay, vmr9 or evr.
To be able to use latest codecs in order to have dtsHD and ddHD audio support.
Support of UVD dxva for the hd formats.
To be able to use graphs.
To be able to use external srt type subtitle files.
Must have the ability to use reclock.

Support of mkv type movie files, with srt subtitles.Different automatic set, settings for this also.

Audio playback support for known file types, also for flac & ape file types.


That's what i have in mind with a good htpc front end ..

[ilovejedd]

Sounds awesome. I applaud you for undertaking this project. Now on to the suggestions...

In addition to the above, an HTPC needs good search and cataloguing functions.
-generate and cache thumbnails (for home videos, etc)
-integration with imdb to request for cover art and description/synopsis if possible
-ability to search/filter by genre, director, actor/actress, etc

That's all I can think of right now. If I think of additional features for HTPC front-ends, I'll drop you a line.

Good luck! I'm really looking forward to this project.

[dimzon]

Originally Posted by koutou

- Rip hddvd & bluray discs through anydvdhd
- Rip dvd titles through dvdfab
- Rip audio cd through EAC

This features is planned but not right now.

Originally Posted by koutou

Basic function of video playback, should be the automatic detection of movie framerate and
automatic changing the graphics card output through powerstrip to specific resolution,refresh rate and color profile.
Should be able to use ffdshow, and again according the movie type to use several different profiles of ffdshow.
Should be able to play either overlay, vmr9 or evr.
To be able to use latest codecs in order to have dtsHD and ddHD audio support.
Support of UVD dxva for the hd formats.
To be able to use graphs.
To be able to use external srt type subtitle files.
Must have the ability to use reclock.
Support of mkv type movie files, with srt subtitles.Different automatic set, settings for this also.

All video playback will be implemented via Media Player Classic. Can You tweak MPC for such features? If not ask Media Player Classic developers. For ffdshow - I doesn't think about some automatics but I'm planing to give ability to switch between different ffdshow presets and to turn on/off some options.

Originally Posted by koutou

Audio playback support for known file types, also for flac & ape file types.

All audio playback will be implemented via foobar2000.

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

-generate and cache thumbnails (for home videos, etc)

This feature is NOT planned for video atm. I really doesn't want to read/decode video files myself. And I hate this feature in Windows Explorer.

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

-integration with imdb to request for cover art and description/synopsis if possible

This feature is NOT planned atm.

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

-ability to search/filter by genre, director, actor/actress, etc

This feature is NOT planned atm. Actually I doesn't think it will be usable without keyboard. Just place your files in proper folder structure.

[dimzon]

PROJECT ROADMAP
VERSION 0.1
Video files support
Must provide ability to use OSD menu to navigate via file system and open video files in MPC.
Must provide ability to control such MPC features
1) toggle videoframe size: Stretch to Window/Touch Window Inside/Touch Window Outside
2) toggle aspect ratio: Current / 4:3 / 5:4 / 16:9
3) Pan & Scan control - increase/decrease/move/reset etc...
4) toggle subtitles
5) toggle audio tracks
6) tweak audio delay (increase/decrease/reset)
7) tweak subtitles delay (increase/decrease/reset)
8) FF/FB/REWIND etc.
9) Go to specified time feature
10) Previous/Next file in playlist.

VERSION 0.2
Add DVD support. Must be able to open DVD in Media Player Classic. Must provide ability to control such MPC features
1) Toggle video angle
2) Navigate to DVD menus (root/chapter/subtitle etc.)

VERSION 0.3
Add basic Image Viewer support.
Must provide ability to use OSD menu to navigate via file system and open image files using build-in image viewer.
Build-in image viewer must provide such abilities:
1) toggle different image size mode (actual size/fit to screen/etc)
2) show to next/previous image in folder
3) simple sildeshow

VERSION 0.4
Add basic audio support.
Must provide ability to use OSD menu to navigate via file system and add folder to foobar2000 playlist.
Must provide ability to control such foobar2000 features
1) FF/FB/REWIND etc.
2) Previous/Next file in playlist
3) Clear playlist
4) Toggle playback mode (Shuffle/Repeat/Default etc)
foobar2000 must be hidden, all information will be shown via OSD.

[dimzon]

OSD menu sample


Actually I want to keep it as easy as possible. So You can use remote navigation keys to select + enter/ok to activate item or use numeric keys for instant activation

[Casimir666]

@dimzon
How did you plan to do the OSD? Inside MPC?

@koutou
DXVA is supported by mpc-hc

[dimzon]

Originally Posted by Casimir666

@dimzon
How did you plan to do the OSD? Inside MPC?

No, I created window using TransparentKey and set it as TopMost.
Actually it works if fine

[smok3]

'resume playback' for all formats would be really nice.

[wozio]

Hi,

Damn, I'm late with announcing my own project which I'm developing for some time now in my free time :-) Maybe we can join with one of them to have one bigger team instead of two smaller :-)

Basically my project started with to be HTPC frontend and this is what it is now, but my plans are much wider.

Project goals are basically the same as yours, it will be HTPC frontend but with several differences:

1. as lightweight as possible, so no C#, C++ only with C in ready libs
2. Direct3D GUI
3. only built in video player, since no easy way of integrating external video player when using d3d fullscreen exclusive mode (which you must have when video quality is important
4. as easy and smooth to use as possible, this must be frontend for our wifes/girlfriends/kids but also for us, computer freaks :-) so common things must be very easy but complicated possiblie maybe not directly from gui

Maybe I will post some screenshots what I actually have and it is working more or less (gui is under rewriting now to allow more flexible skinning so this screenshots are from 100 revs back or something like that, from last working version :-) ):

music files browsing page (tagging is supported for almost all formats, mp3, mp4/m4a (itunes), flac, mpc, ogg, wma, etc):



video files browsing page while video is playing:



Maybe we could join forces .

What is also integrated now is support for MCE remote control.

Regards
Piotr Wozniak

[A-star]

Did any of you try Meedios?
http://www.meedios.com

[Inventive Software]

I'm liking this idea very much. Something that's a worthy competitor to Media Center would be nice. Consider using ffdshow alongside it too, for the monumental codec support.

Also, this might be out on a limb, so to speak, but any chance of TV Tuner support?

[dimzon]

Originally Posted by wozio

3. only built in video player

Unfortunately it means you must reproduce too much functionality from perfect Media Player Classic. Because I really love it and don't want any compromise. Maybe the better way in this case will be just create yet another MPC fork and turn it into HTPC frontend?